Eskaton Blog

“Be curious, not judgmental." -Walt Whitman

“Catching the currents around me I am carried by the generous hearts of my friends and family”. Ruth Ghio plays a kaleidoscope of roles in her life. She is a daughter, wife, mother, teacher, counselor, artist, writer, and friend. Ruth loves life and people.

“Adventure is worthwhile in itself." -Amelia Earhart

Brenda Heeke and her husband love adventure. Their passion: flying hot air balloons all over California. Her husband would pilot the balloons and Brenda would relish in the natural beauty and diversity of California.

“The pure mathematician, like the musician, is a free creator of his world of ordered beauty." -Bertand Russel

Herb Lindberg was born in Chicago, Illinois. After graduating from Illinois Institute of Technology he applied for a fellowship at Stanford University. Much to his surprise he was accepted and pursued his doctorate in mechanical engineering and mathematics.

“Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart.” – Roy T. Bennett

Despite living in desperate circumstances, Zeke believed in the power of positivity. He believes in living with a smile on his face and a laugh in his heart. Lawrence James Lewis also known as “Zeke” lived through the Great Depression. Zeke’s father worked in Oregon and bought a piece of land with the intention of building their family home, but after the Great Depression hit he pitched a 1 room tent instead.

"How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?" – Satchel Paige

“Statistically, I am 95 years old,” said Jean Humburg. “But that does not clarify who I am.” 

Jean recently had the privilege to be a part of a group of residents from Eskaton who met with graduating students from the Sierra Academy of Expeditionary Learning (SAEL). They were together every Thursday for eight weeks. During that time, they learned to understand who they were in the eyes of each other.

“Being happy is a state of mind." Harry attributes his longevity to his wife Frances and his state of mind. Harry and Frances Bleile were married in 1942 and celebrated over 70 years of marriage. "Our marriage hasn't always been easy but, no relationship ever is," says Frances. 

Eskaton Village Grass Valley partnered with Sierra Academy of Expeditionary Learning (SAEL) in Nevada City, CA to create an intergenerational project, called Building Bridges. During a semester long project, high school senior student groups partnered with elders living at the community to document their lives using writing and film.

by Victoria Buszinski, Victory High School Advanced Placement English Student

by Evelina Cojan, Victory High School Advanced Placement English Student

California native Ben Jones has lived an interesting life. He earned a master’s and a bachelor’s degree at the University of Southern California. During his career as an engineer and geologist, he worked for Southern California Gas Company helping to store natural gas underground.

by Kristina Kirilyuk, Victory High School Advanced Placement English Student